From: George Fernandez EROLS COM> Date: 6 nov 1996 Subject: Re: Tournaments At 06:18 AM 11/3/96 EST, Alexander Engelhardt <101536.1704 COMPUSERVE COM> wrote: >I would like the opinion of the Shogi community about a problem we had at the>recent German Open tournament. >There were two players unhappy with the pairings sorted out by the computer >program They had to play against each other. They voiced there discontentment, >declared one of the two as the winner and left the tournament without moving one>piece on the board. They returned the next day for the next rounds. What reason did they give for not wanting to play each other? >My questions are: >How do you deal with such a problem at your tournaments in your countries ? >What solution do you have for such a problem ? During the last 7 years, I've served as the primary promoter and tournament director of the [Washington] DC Shogi Club. Oftentimes, I've directed events involving more than one club as well, such as when the NY Shogi Club or the Chicago Shogi Club have visited our club. Although, at present, we do not have as great a number of players attending as the European shogi organizations, the same sort of problems I anticipate do come up. First, I should say that we do not use computers for pairings. Here is a list of pairings and situations we try to avoid: 1) Matching players from the same out-of-town club. Unless, for example, only two players(from the same club) have perfect records or in the final round when a trophy may be at stake and no other reasonable pairing exists. In tournaments when the number of players from each club is roughly equal and the total number of players is small it becomes impossible to do this but we still try to create as many inter-club pairings as possible. 2) Giving an out-of-town player a bye[a win by forfeit, normally given to the lowest rated player with the lowest score], when an odd number of players exist. 3) Pairing players who primarily play against each other(privately) a disproportionate number of times, unless necessary. 4) In handicap tournaments, we occasionally alter the pairings in the latter rounds to create pairings at lower handicaps, when all else is the same. For example, we may pair two 4Dans and two 4kyu in even or near-to-even games, rather than having two 6Piece handicap games between the 4Dans and 4Kyus. >What consequences do you suggest for such a behaviour ? The iron maiden and the rack come to mind. Luckily, we haven't had to impose sanctions or otherwise punish any of our players ...not yet! :-) . In this case, perhaps, their insurgence has brought attention to a worthwhile issue. >My personal opinion is, that it is the privilege of each player to resign at>any moment of the game, even at the beginning . In this case the opponent is>winner. >If the two player refuse to play each other and just go, both have lost the >game. We do verify the result but not the method of victory in each game. So long as one player claims victory and posts the result on the pairings sheet he/she will be considered the victor. If no result is posted, we assume both players have withdrawn from the tournament. Generally, players inform the tournament director if they cannot play all their games. >If a player just does not show up, he lost the game. >Of course, such a behaviour is at the least bad manners and causes trouble for>the other players>and the tournament organisers. > >alexander > There are numerous rules and regulations which apply during a shogi tournament. The only two which we find helpful to always announce prior to the start of an event are: "Overtime" and "Illegal moves" will lose the game. Best Regards, George George I. Fernandez 2000 S. Eads St., Apt. #504 Arlington, VA 22202 USA Telephone: (703)521-5107 E-Mail: fernandz erols com